What is Extended Reality and What are the types of XR?
Extended reality is a catch-all term for a group of technologies that combine the real and virtual worlds in ways that were previously only seen in science fiction. Extended reality, or XR, is a combination of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) technologies.
XR technologies are rapidly advancing, and their applications are expanding across a range of industries, such as entertainment, healthcare, education, marketing, and construction. According to various researches based on XR, more than 50% of the respondents believed XR will be mainstream in the next five years.
What is augmented reality (AR)?
Augmented reality (AR), which uses computer generated virtual content, allows users to perceive and interact with their surroundings more effectively. Different types of technology, including smartphones, tablets, smart glasses, smart screens, and headsets, can be used to experience augmented reality (AR) in real life. As a result, users will not feel isolated from the real world and can still communicate and observe what is happening in front of them.
AR works by tracking the user’s movements and location using cameras and sensors, then overlaying virtual material on top of the real-world view. This has a wide range of uses, including entertainment, instruction, marketing, and workplace training. AR has the ability to revolutionize lots of industries and has already started to transform the way we interact with the world around us.
What is virtual reality (VR)?
With the use of virtual reality (VR) technology, people can interact with a computer-generated environment as if it were real. In order to see about and move around in the virtual environment, users often wear a headset that shows a 3D virtual world and detects their head and body motions. The ability to look around, move around, and interact with virtual elements or objects is provided by virtual reality equipment.
With larger displays, better tracking, and more powerful software, VR technology has developed quickly in recent years. As a result, more industries such as healthcare, architecture, and engineering are showing interest in the technology and developing a wider range of applications.
VR has several applications, including entertainment, training, education, and rehabilitation. With the use of VR in the entertainment industry, immersive gaming experiences or virtual tours of actual sites can be made as if they were real.
What is mixed reality (MR)?
Mixed reality is a combination of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), where virtual objects interact with real-life objects in physical space to create a new form of immersive experience.
The way MR functions is by mapping the user’s environment with sensors and cameras, then superimposing virtual items on it. The virtual items may respond to the user’s movements and activities and can be moved and interacted with in real time.
One of the most important features of MR is its ability to create a sense of presence and immersion, giving users the impression that they are physically present in the virtual environment and that it is taking place in the real world.
Overall XR represents a significant shift in the way we interact with digital content and the world around us . Within few more years XR will be a mainstream that will make a immense revolution in many industries and it has the potential create new forms of engagement and interaction that were previously unimaginable.
